Say resignation of secretary not solution, just a beginning

That’s the spectrum of reactions among North Jersey military veterans to Friday’s resignation of VA Secretary Erik K. Shinseki, a former Army general and a decorated and disabled Vietnam veteran.

All agree the blame for a widening scandal of neglect of vets lies with the agency’s bureaucracy: They say it has bred a culture where — in Phoenix and possibly elsewhere — treatment records could be forged to maximize the potential for financial bonuses.

Shinseki had been called upon by many in Congress and the American Legion — which is assisting more than 732,000 veterans with VA benefits claims — to resign since the scandal erupted this month. He quit saying his service had become a distraction amid the uproar caused by whistle blower claims that the Phoenix VA hospital maintained a secret waiting list and that many vets died waiting for appointments.

Some North Jersey veterans want a wholesale revamping of the VA —focused on humanely handling the pressing problems and claims of individual vets.

On Friday, those surveyed reiterated frustrations with attempts to pin down doctors’ appointments and file claims here, but overwhelmingly expressed support for their doctors while complaining about the rudeness and impersonal nature of the VA bureaucracy. Many said a new VA should be built, staffed by veterans.

“There are skilled veterans coming home,” said Tony Vancheri of the Paterson Veterans Council. “Get them all working in the VA. This is the perfect time to clean house.”

Bob Salvini, the Bergen County American Legion commander agreed that the best course would be having “vets helping vets. A lot of the help lines staff it with veterans — they can best help.”

Daniel M. Dellinger, the American Legion national commander, also called for systemic reform. He termed Shinseki’s resignation “not the solution, yet it is a beginning. … The solution is to weed out the incompetence and corruption” within the Veterans Heath Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration so dedicated employees can properly care for vets.

This week, a VA inspector general’s preliminary report confirmed whistleblower claims that the VA hospital in Phoenix kept a secret waiting list so as to maximize bonuses for minimizing wait times. At least 40 veterans died waiting for appointments, the report said, but there is no evidence any died for lack of treatment.

“That’s awful. Now, go after the people that did this,” Vancheri said. “When money comes before helping the people who served this country … Shame on them.”

A full report is set for August, and as many as 42 VA hospitals and clinics are being examined. There are two hospitals and nine clinics in New Jersey. The VA hospital in East Orange alone served 51,593 veterans 400,004 times in 2013. Officials call problems “systemic,” but New Jersey has not been mentioned in testimony.

Salvini welcomed the resignation but he said it is not enough and that “It’s not entirely his fault. It happened on his watch, but he didn’t have the mechanism in place to track the scheduling.”

Veteran service groups were not united in the calls for Shinseki’s resignation, however. The Veterans of Foreign Wars condemned the individuals directly responsible and called for their firing, but continued to support Shinseki, a decorated combat veteran who lost part of a foot to a landmine explosion in Vietnam. His final military post was as Army chief of staff.

“Secretary Shinseki is an American patriot, an honorable man whose personal integrity and commitment to duty and to others is above reproach,” William A. Thien, the VFW national commander, said. “We support his decision to resign,” but he added that the calls for the resignation were overshadowing the greater issue involving veterans’ health care.”

Tom Miller, a retired Passaic County veterans service officer, said Shinseki’s resignation amid scandal will tarnish the good work he tried to do by getting veterans care for conditions ranging from Agent Orange-related symptoms to post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, especially for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. “They should’ve never released him,” Miller said. “He was a big advocate for help.”